Thank you to our 2014 Lions for their commitment and expertise!
Tonia Jahshan
 Tonia Jahshan is the Founder and President of Steeped Tea Inc. Steeped Tea has been featured on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, and has appeared on PROFIT 500’s list of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies two years in a row. Tonia has also been recognized on Chatelaine’s W100 list three years in a row, was named one of Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women, and most recently, as Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year for 2016 by Canadian Business Magazine. |
Blair McKeil
 Successfully operating for over 55 years, Hamilton-based McKeil Marine Limited is considered by industry analysts as an exemplary Canadian success story. The family-owned business, which operates throughout the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Arctic, has the ability to adapt quickly to the changing times in both global and regional trends in trade and transportation. The key architect of this metamorphosis has been company Chairman & CEO Blair McKeil. Blair has also been an active contributor to a variety of industry organizations including the past president of The Marine Club and the Eastern Canada Tug Owners Association. Blair has won various awards over the years for his outstanding achievements in business. |
Jeff Paikin
 Jeff Paikin is the President of New Horizon Development Group who will soon be celebrating their 20-Year Anniversary of service and development expertise in residential building. Jeff is known for bringing his “big picture vision” to both his team and each project he undertakes. He is actively involved in urban planning, residential and commercial building, and philanthropic causes. A passionate Hamiltonian, Jeff is proud to live, work, and raise his family in this community. A graduate of Mount Allison University, Jeff holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He was recently awarded the RBC Distinguished Citizen of the Year for Hamilton because of his commitment to the Hamilton community. Over the years, Jeff has been recognized to be involved in a number of community-oriented activities such as being a Member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Advisory Board, Chair of the Capital Campaign at Hillfield Strathallan College and of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools, and supporting local philanthropic organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society, City Kidz, Burlington Performing Arts Centre, and the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre. |
Mario Paron
 Mario Paron is the Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise. He’s held several leadership roles with the firm over the past 25 years, most recently the Regional Managing Partner of Eastern Canada for KPMG. A born and raised Hamiltonian, Mario completed his Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from McMaster University. |
Carmela Trombetta
 Carmela leads a team of specialized Commercial Account Managers as Vice-President of Greater Hamilton Commercial Financial Services for RBC Royal Bank. She has had a very successful 24 years with RBC with various roles in retail, wealth management, and commercial banking. She is a graduate of McMaster University with and undergraduate degree in Economics. Carmela leverages her experience, knowledge of the community, and industry contacts to provide timely financial advice to her managers and clients, and provides best in class service and value. She is currently serving on the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation Board and the Finance Committee as well as the Cabinet for United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton. Carmela is also a newly appointed member of board for the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. |